Detachable magazine lock grip for uzi firearm

ABSTRACT

A solid plate adapted for attachment to the lower receiver of an uzi firearm, the solid plate completely enclosing the magazine catch mechanism to prevent release of the magazine by the standard method of pressing the magazine catch mechanism with a finger. The solid plate may define a small key hole of arbitrary shape adjacent to the magazine catch mechanism to permit the magazine to be released by inserting an elongated member through the key hole to press against the magazine catch mechanism. In an alternate embodiment the small key hole is semi-circular in shape and adapted to receive a similar semi-circular shaped key therethrough.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/395,651, filed May 17, 2010, by applicant LouieBarletta.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an adaptation to a firearmthat may change its legal classification. Specifically, an uzi, or anyfirearm of sufficiently similar properties to that of an uzi that it maybe similarly classified by law, is classified under an Assault WeaponsBan in the State of California as being in violation of California PenalCode (PC) 12276, and thus is illegal to own. More specifically, it isthe readily detachable magazine of an uzi that violates PC12276.1(a)(1).

Numerous firearm safety and magazine lock mechanisms are described inthe prior art, such as U.S. Pat. No. 7,752,796 B2 (Ramsey, Sr.), U.S.Pat. No. 7,568,302 B1 (Bubits), U.S. Pat. No. 7,543,403 B1 (Schaefer),U.S. Pat. No. 6,952,895 B1 (Zonshine), U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,207 B1 (Cryeet. al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,256,919 B1 (Brazeau), and U.S. Pat. No.4,798,018 (Johansson); however, none of the prior art teach or imply asuitable method that may be adapted to prevent the magazine of an uzifrom being detached.

To declassify an uzi under PC 12276, manufacturers and individuals haveprovided uzis with a non-detachable magazine by means of welding orotherwise permanently fixing the magazine catch mechanism on the lowerreceiver of an uzi. However, such solutions are undesired because it isphysically impossible to ever detach the magazine.

Accordingly, what is desired, and has not heretofore been developed, isa means of preventing the magazine of an uzi firearm from being releasedby pressing the magazine catch mechanism with a finger, furtherproviding a means of releasing the magazine from the uzi only bypressing the magazine catch mechanism with a key or suitable elongatedmember.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a means ofpreventing the magazine of an uzi firearm from being released bypressing the magazine catch mechanism with a finger.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a means ofpreventing the magazine of an uzi firearm from being released bypressing the magazine catch mechanism with a finger that is not readilyor easily circumvented.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a means ofpreventing the magazine of an uzi firearm from being released bypressing the magazine catch mechanism with a finger that is inexpensiveto manufacture.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a means of releasingthe magazine of an uzi firearm only by pressing the magazine catchmechanism with a key or suitable elongated member.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a means of releasingthe magazine of an uzi firearm only by pressing the magazine catchmechanism with a key or suitable elongated member that is not readily oreasily circumvented.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a means of releasingthe magazine of an uzi firearm only by pressing the magazine catchmechanism with a key or suitable elongated member that is inexpensive tomanufacture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a is a side elevation view of an uzi firearm with a standard gripplate attached to the lower receiver of the uzi.

FIG. 1 b is a side elevation view of an uzi firearm with the detachablemagazine lock grip plate attached to the lower receiver of the uzi.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of an uzi firearm showing the releaseand removal of the magazine.

FIG. 3 a, FIG. 3 b, FIG. 3 c, and FIG. 3 d are front elevation, rearelevation, side cross section taken along line B-B, and perspectiveviews of a standard grip plate, respectively.

FIG. 4 a, FIG. 4 b, FIG. 4 c, and FIG. 4 d are front elevation, rearelevation, side cross section taken along line A-A, and perspectiveviews of an embodiment of the detachable magazine lock grip plate,respectively. FIG. 4 e is an exemplary key that could be used to releasethe magazine of an uzi with the detachable magazine lock grip plateattached.

FIG. 5 a, FIG. 5 b, FIG. 5 c, and FIG. 5 d are front elevation, rearelevation, side cross section taken along line D-D, and perspectiveviews of a first alternate embodiment of the detachable magazine lockgrip plate, respectively. FIG. 5 e is an exemplary key that could beused to release the magazine of an uzi with the detachable magazine lockgrip plate attached.

FIG. 6 a, FIG. 6 b, FIG. 6 c, and FIG. 6 d are front elevation, rearelevation, side cross section taken along line C-C, and perspectiveviews of a second alternate embodiment of the detachable magazine lockgrip plate, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Heretofore and henceforth the term ‘uzi’ is used to describe any firearmof sufficiently similar properties to that of an uzi that it may besimilarly classified by law.

Heretofore and henceforth the term ‘key’ is used to describe anygenerally elongated and sufficiently rigid member capable of beinginserted through the key through hole 12 and capable of pressing themagazine catch mechanism 20.

Heretofore and henceforth the term ‘finger’ is used to describe a humanfinger of normal or average diameter.

Heretofore and henceforth the term ‘diameter’ is used to describe thegeneral length or width of an opening, hole, or object cross sectionregardless of the actual shape—circular or non-circular—of the opening,hole, or object cross section.

FIG. 1 a shows a typical uzi 1 with a standard grip plate 100 attachedto the lower receiver of the uzi 1. The magazine 40, which may hold arepository of ammunition to be fired by the uzi 1, may be at leastpartially housed within the lower receiver of the uzi 1. The magazinecatch mechanism 20 facilitates the locking of the magazine 40 in placewithin the lower receiver of the uzi 1 so that it will not fall out,cannot be removed, and thus cannot be reloaded with ammunition. Pressingagainst the magazine catch mechanism 20 with a finger in a directionperpendicular to the exterior face of the magazine catch mechanism 20may cause the magazine 40 to be released from within the lower receiverof the uzi 1, as shown in FIG. 2, and subsequently removed from thelower receiver of the uzi 1 and potentially reloaded with ammunition.

As shown in FIG. 3 a, FIG. 3 b, FIG. 3 c, and FIG. 3 d, the standardgrip plate 100 comprises an exterior face 150, an interior face 160, atleast one fastener through hole 110 defined therethrough, and an opening130. The standard grip plate 100 may be attached to the uzi 1, with theinterior face 160 adjacent to the lower receiver, by means of a fastener30 inserted through at least one fastener through hole 110, suchfastener 30 mating with a fastener receiver element defined on the uzi1, such as a threaded or ribbed bore.

When the standard grip plate 100 is attached to the uzi 1, the opening130 is adjacent to the magazine catch mechanism 20, such opening 130 ofsufficient size to permit unobstructed access to, and normal operationof, the magazine catch mechanism 20 by means of a finger. Pressing themagazine catch mechanism 20 may cause the magazine 40 to be released andremoved from the uzi 1 and subsequently reloaded with ammunition.

FIG. 1 b shows a typical uzi 1 with the detachable magazine lock gripplate 10 attached to the lower receiver of the uzi 1. It can be seenthat the detachable magazine lock grip plate 10 completely encloses themagazine catch mechanism 20, thereby preventing the magazine 40 frombeing released by pressing the magazine catch mechanism 20 with afinger.

As shown in FIG. 4 a, FIG. 4 b, FIG. 4 c, and FIG. 4 d, the detachablemagazine lock grip plate 10 comprises an exterior face 15, an interiorface 16, at least one fastener through hole 11 defined therethrough, acavity 14 defined on and within the interior face 16, and a key throughhole 12 defined therethrough and adjacent to the cavity 14. Thedetachable magazine lock grip plate 10 may be attached to the uzi 1,with the interior face 16 adjacent to the lower receiver, by means of afastener 30 inserted through at least one fastener through hole 11, suchfastener 30 mating with a fastener receiver element defined on the uzi1, such as a threaded or ribbed bore.

When the detachable magazine lock grip plate 10 is attached to the uzi1, the cavity 14 is adjacent to the magazine catch mechanism 20, suchcavity 14 of sufficient volume to permit unobstructed normal movement oroperation of the magazine catch mechanism 20. However, because the firstembodiment of the detachable magazine lock grip plate 10 completelyencloses the magazine catch mechanism 20, the magazine catch mechanism20 cannot be pressed by a finger. To press or otherwise activate themagazine catch mechanism 20, a key 50 may be inserted through the keythrough hole 12, such key through hole 12 having a diametersubstantially smaller than the diameter of a finger. Pressing themagazine catch mechanism 20 with a key 50 may cause the magazine 40 tobe released and removed from the uzi 1 and subsequently reloaded withammunition.

A first alternate embodiment of the detachable magazine lock grip plate10 is shown in FIG. 5 a, FIG. 5 b, FIG. 5 c, and FIG. 5 d, whichcomprises an exterior face 15, an interior face 16, at least onefastener through hole 11 defined therethrough, and a cavity 14 definedon and within the interior face 16, and a semi-circular key through hole17 defined therethrough and adjacent to the cavity 14. This firstalternate embodiment of the detachable magazine lock grip plate 10 maybe attached to the uzi 1, with the interior face 16 adjacent to thelower receiver, by means of a fastener 30 inserted through at least onefastener through hole 11, such fastener 30 mating with a fastenerreceiver element defined on the uzi 1, such as a threaded or ribbedbore.

When the first alternate embodiment of the detachable magazine lock gripplate 10 is attached to the uzi 1, the cavity 14 is adjacent to themagazine catch mechanism 20, such cavity 14 of sufficient volume topermit unobstructed normal movement or operation of the magazine catchmechanism 20. However, because this first alternate embodiment of thedetachable magazine lock grip plate 10 completely encloses the magazinecatch mechanism 20, the magazine catch mechanism 20 cannot be pressed bya finger. To press or otherwise activate the magazine catch mechanism20, a semi-circular key 51 may be inserted through the semi-circular keythrough hole 17, such semi-circular key through hole 17 shaped toprevent a finger or flat key 50 from being inserted therethrough.Pressing the magazine catch mechanism 20 with a semi-circular key 51 maycause the magazine 40 to be released and removed from the uzi 1 andsubsequently reloaded with ammunition.

A second alternate embodiment of the detachable magazine lock grip plate10 is shown in FIG. 6 a, FIG. 6 b, FIG. 6 c, and FIG. 6 d, whichcomprises an exterior face 15, an interior face 16, at least onefastener through hole 11 defined therethrough, and a cavity 14 definedon and within the interior face 16. This second alternate embodimentdoes not contain a key through hole 12 or a semi-circular key throughhole 17. This second alternate embodiment of the detachable magazinelock grip plate 10 may be attached to the uzi 1, with the interior face16 adjacent to the lower receiver, by means of a fastener 30 insertedthrough at least one fastener through hole 11, such fastener 30 matingwith a fastener receiver element defined on the uzi 1, such as athreaded or ribbed bore.

When the second alternate embodiment of the detachable magazine lockgrip plate 10 is attached to the uzi 1, the cavity 14 is adjacent to themagazine catch mechanism 20, such cavity 14 of sufficient volume topermit unobstructed normal movement or operation of the magazine catchmechanism 20. However, because the second alternate embodiment of thedetachable magazine lock grip plate 10 completely encloses the magazinecatch mechanism 20, and because there is no key through hole 12 orsemi-circular key through hole 17, the magazine catch mechanism 20 canneither be pressed by a finger, a key 50, a semi-circular key 51, or byany other external means. Therefore, the magazine 40 may only bereleased from the uzi 1 by first completely removing the secondalternate embodiment of the detachable magazine lock grip plate 10 fromthe uzi 1, by removal of the fastener 30 or fasteners 30 that attach itto the lower receiver of the uzi 1, followed by pressing of thenow-exposed magazine catch mechanism 20.

Although specific embodiments of the detachable magazine lock grip platehave been illustrated and described, many variations or modificationswould be apparent that do not depart from the spirit and scope of theinvention, which are defined by the appended claims.

1. A solid plate comprising: an exterior face; an interior face; acavity defined on and within said interior face; a first through holejoining said exterior face to said interior face, said first throughhole adjacent to said cavity; and a second through hole joining saidexterior face to said interior face; said solid plate adapted for matingwith the lower receiver of an uzi firearm with: said interior faceadjacent to said lower receiver, said interior face completely enclosingthe magazine catch mechanism; said cavity adjacent to said magazinecatch mechanism, said cavity of sufficient volume to house and preventobstruction of normal movement or operation of said magazine catchmechanism; said first through hole adjacent to said magazine catchmechanism, said first through hole diameter sized to receive a key ofdiameter substantially smaller than that of a human finger therethrough;and said second through hole adjacent to a means defined on said lowerreceiver for receiving a fastener, said second through hole diametersized to accept said fastener therethrough.
 2. The solid plate of claim1 further comprising a third through hole adjacent to a means defined onsaid lower receiver for receiving a fastener, said third through holediameter sized to accept said fastener therethrough.
 3. A solid platecomprising: an exterior face; an interior face; a cavity defined on andwithin said interior face; a first through hole joining said exteriorface to said interior face, said first through hole adjacent to saidcavity; and a second through hole joining said exterior face to saidinterior face; said solid plate adapted for mating with the lowerreceiver of an uzi firearm with: said interior face adjacent to saidlower receiver, said interior face completely enclosing the magazinecatch mechanism; said cavity adjacent to said magazine catch mechanism,said cavity of sufficient volume to house and prevent obstruction ofnormal movement or operation of said magazine catch mechanism; saidfirst through hole adjacent to said magazine catch mechanism, said firstthrough hole defining a semi-circular opening adapted to receive asimilar semi-circular shaped key therethrough; and said second throughhole adjacent to a means defined on said lower receiver for receiving afastener, said second through hole diameter sized to accept saidfastener therethrough.
 4. The solid plate of claim 3 further comprisinga third through hole adjacent to a means defined on said lower receiverfor receiving a fastener, said third through hole diameter sized toaccept said fastener therethrough.
 5. A solid plate comprising: anexterior face; an interior face; a cavity defined on and within saidinterior face; and a through hole joining said exterior face to saidinterior face; said solid plate adapted for mating with the lowerreceiver of an uzi firearm with: said interior face adjacent to saidlower receiver, said interior face completely enclosing the magazinecatch mechanism; said cavity adjacent to said magazine catch mechanism,said cavity of sufficient volume to house said magazine catch mechanism;and said through hole adjacent to a means defined on said lower receiverfor receiving a fastener, said through hole diameter sized to acceptsaid fastener therethrough.
 6. The solid plate of claim 5 furthercomprising a second through hole adjacent to a means defined on saidlower receiver for receiving a fastener, said second through holediameter sized to accept said fastener therethrough.